I quickly noticed and improved, more chiseled frame that Rhodes has been working diligently on since the high school season ended. Now standing a legitimate 6-foot-5 and putting on muscle rather quickly, it’s only a matter of time before he become a mismatch nightmare. In this showing, there were a few times that the opposing five man was guarding him and Rhodes wasted no time in getting his catches from the top of the key and using his first step to blow by the big man before finishing at the rim. He knocked down a three in the third quarter and it looked like the ball was coming out of his hands more fluidly than it was in the fall. A lot of tools here with Rhodes.

-Rhodes served as one of the most productive freshman in the class as a prospect that started every game of the season for McDonogh. Rhodes was a physical force in the paint as a forward prospect that plays bigger than his size as a rebounder, paint scorer, and defender. The midrange jumper served as an effective tool to keep defenders honest on elbow catches as he consistently made the right read to shoot, drive, or make a play for a teammate in the paint with the defensive attention sent his way. Rhodes will be a key contributor for Melo this spring and summer.

Similar to Word, Rhodes provided plenty of flashes for a freshman in the MIAA while remaining efficient with his opportunities. Both player were featured in their team’s frontcourt rotation but when all is said and done, they could be more perimeter-oriented hybrid forwards. Rhodes brings fluid footwork operating on the block or mid-post and also showed growth in face-up attack as the year progressed. His knack around the rim and ability to trace rebounds outside of his area will be a foundational point in his skillset that allows him to shine in any environment. The Eagles return key production on next year’s roster, but there’s no question that Rhodes will be expected to, and is capable of, taking the next step an becoming a key cog for head coach Gerry Abrams next winter.

-The physical W/F tweener has really put up steady numbers against the best of the BCL teams so far this season to stand out as a name to lock in on in 2029. Rhodes uses a strong frame to jostle for rebounding position in the paint and score through contact, often scoring over/through bigs that have a few inches of height on him. The midrange jumper has proved as a potent antidote for defenders that play his driving lanes and give him too much space on catches from the high post. He’s been one of the biggest reasons that McDonogh has began to make some waves in the MIAA as a scrappy young team that will make you earn everything over 32 minutes of game time.

-Physical post presence that has really improved as a finisher around the rim with a diverse set of finishing moves in his bag. The motor stands out as a prospect that uses the physicality developed as a wide receiver on the football field to translate to the basketball court as a prospect that is currently a forward but likely projects to be more of a wing. He’s active defensively, can guard up and down a few positions, and plays with a motor at both ends of the floor. Like his jumpshot 15′ and in but the form and consistency project to eventually extend past the arc. Should be a big part of a McDonogh group that should surprise folks this year as a competitive group in the MIAA.